Ramon Allones Specially Selected

Ramon Allones Specially Selected

There's a particular kind of silence that settles over a room when someone reaches for a Ramon Allones. It's the quiet recognition of a connoisseur's choice—the mark of someone who has moved past the obvious names and discovered one of Cuba's most characterful, under-the-radar treasures. The Specially Selected doesn't demand attention with flashy bands or marketing campaigns. Instead, it earns respect the old-fashioned way: through decades of consistent, complex craftsmanship that rewards those patient enough to pay attention.

Specifications

A Storied Pedigree

Ramon Allones occupies a singular place in Cuban cigar history. Founded in 1837 by a Spanish immigrant who arrived on Cuban shores with little more than ambition and tobacco knowledge, the brand predates many of the island's most celebrated names. Yet it has never chased the spotlight. Instead, Ramon Allones built its reputation in the quiet corners of cigar shops and private clubs, where seasoned smokers gathered to compare notes and swap stories.

The Specially Selected robusto embodies this heritage with particular eloquence. Produced at the legendary Partagás factory in Havana—where some of Cuba's most skilled torcedores practice their craft—this vitola represents the brand's philosophy in concentrated form. There's an artisan quality to the construction, a sense that each cigar has been touched by hands that understand tobacco not as a commodity but as a living material with its own temperament and potential. The brand has always felt like the independent bookstore of Cuban cigars: smaller in profile, perhaps, but immeasurably deeper in character.

What distinguishes the Specially Selected from its peers is its remarkable layering. Where other robustos might lean on a single dominant note, this cigar unfolds like a well-composed piece of music, with themes that emerge, recede, and return in new configurations. It's a cigar that asks something of its smoker—attention, patience, curiosity—and rewards that investment generously.

The Tasting Experience

First Light

The opening establishes the cigar's intentions immediately. A pronounced cedar note emerges from the cold draw, joined by a distinctive barnyard character that signals genuine Cuban pedigree. Upon lighting, the first puffs deliver dry cocoa and toasted nuts, underpinned by a white pepper prickle that awakens the palate without overwhelming it. There's an intriguing floral quality hovering at the edges, almost minty in its freshness, suggesting the complexity to come. The smoke is substantial but not heavy, with a texture that coats the mouth pleasantly.

The Journey

As the burn progresses into the second third, the Specially Selected reveals its sophisticated nature. Sweet coffee notes emerge, interweaving with dark chocolate and a surprising thread of black cherry that adds depth without veering into sweetness. The pepper evolves from white to black, gaining intensity while maintaining refinement. Leather and earth enter the profile, grounding the more ethereal elements. A creamy quality develops midway through, smoothing transitions between flavor clusters. Almond and citrus notes flicker in and out, rewarding careful attention. This is where the cigar's artisan soul becomes most apparent—each draw seems to offer a slightly different emphasis, a new perspective on the core themes.

The Finale

The final act brings increased intensity and darker tonalities. Espresso notes dominate, accompanied by charred oak and intensified spice. The honey sweetness that appeared earlier returns, now tempered by the growing power of the smoke. Cedar remains a constant throughout, the backbone that holds the entire structure together. Construction, it must be noted, remains impeccable to the final inch—something that cannot be said of all robustos. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving echoes of cocoa and pepper on the palate long after the cigar has been set down.

Who It's For

The Specially Selected is not a beginner's cigar, though it would be a fine teacher for someone ready to graduate from milder fare. It speaks most clearly to the experienced smoker who appreciates nuance over brute force—someone who understands that a truly great cigar reveals itself gradually, that it requires presence and engagement. This is an evening cigar, ideally suited to contemplation after a long day, or to unhurried conversation among friends who know enough to let silence do some of the work. It belongs in the humidor of anyone who believes that the best Cuban cigars are the ones that have been quietly perfecting their craft for generations.

Pairing Suggestion

Aged Dominican rum with its inherent sweetness and subtle oak influence mirrors the cigar's development beautifully, while a double espresso provides a classic counterpoint that amplifies the chocolate and coffee notes in the final third.